How to Make a Bread Poultice

How to Make a Bread Poultice

If it wasn’t for personal experience, I would not have believed that a little bread and milk could make a useful natural remedy. As it turns out, it does. Bread poultice makes a great remedy for boils, eczema, and other problem areas.

A poultice doesn’t have to be made out of bread and milk, either. Technically, a poultice can be made out of just about anything. Before we get into all that, let’s talk about what a poultice is and what it can be used for.

What is a Poultice?

The word poultice is used to describe any soft, moist substance (usually warm) that is used for medicinal or other useful purposes. The word “poultice” actually comes from the Latin words puls or pultes, which means “porridge”.

Indeed, it’s possible that porridge may have been the very first poultice used for topical skin treatment, or it got its name from its similarities to porridge. Either way, its name derivative suggests that making a poultice is an age-old natural remedy.

It has been demonstrated that covering a wound or a boil with a poultice will “pull” out the pus and infection. For boils that are still largely under the skin, it can bring them to a “head”, which essentially means it will draw the pus toward the surface of the skin.

Knowing how to make a poultice is beneficial because of its many uses.

Other Uses for Bread Poultice:

Treat bruises, inflammation, arthritis, and sprains

Can be used on wounds and cuts

Acne treatment

Eczema treatment

Removing splinters

How to Make a Bread Poultice

Making a bread poultice is very easy. The typical bread poultice uses simply bread and milk. You can use any kind of bread, homemade or store bought, fresh or stale. If you have some stale bread lying around, it makes sense to go ahead and use it for this purpose.

You don’t have to use milk, either. You can use any kind of liquid you feel comfortable letting sit on your skin. Plain water will do. You’ll also need something to secure the poultice to your skin, usually a bandage that will fit over the application area.

What you need:

Bread

Milk or water

Bowl

Fork to mash

Bandage

Instructions:

Place the bread in a bowl. You can break the bread into pieces if you prefer. Pour the milk or water over the bread, just enough to moisten the bread. Mash the bread into the liquid with a fork until it’s thoroughly incorporated and moistened. You can use your hands if you want to.

Use as much poultice as needed to cover the affected area. Secure the poultice to the skin with a bandage. Wear for 8-12 hours (overnight works well). Clean the area and repeat daily until desired results are reached.

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You can also add essential oils or fresh herbs to your poultice. Some people like to add lavender or tea tree oil to help kill any infection in the skin.

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I have never in my life heard of a bread poultice. How interesting! My mom uses cabbage for everything, which seems to do the same thing as the bread. I think I’ll try the bread the next time I don’t have any cabbage and I have one of those weird boils or whatever they are.

I had a tiny bump on my back, after looking in the mirror I noticed there was a black dot which signaled it may be a blackhead. I left it alone hoping it would just go away if I left it alone. I first noticed it 2 months ago. I recently went to see a physio for a slip that happened. It was within that week following the visit from the physio that the bump grew bigger to eventually feel like a pebble on my back and I could no longer sit against my back as it was just too painful. I then went for a back facial for an extraction to remove it. That was two days ago. I am now in pain with what feels like a gold ball of swelling on the area and also a bruise to match that gold ball size. I have a suspicion there is still sebum/pus (actually a lot more than before) and the person I went to for the back facial mentioned I may need to come back a second time to remove the remainder sebum/pus. So, hence my question in the beginning. Would be great to hear your insight on this.

I remember my gran using a poultice when i was very young. It consisted of bread, suger & some very moist soap to enhance the “drawing” effect. I burned my hand three weeks ago & it healed quite well except for a small part which has now hardened & is very swollen & tight. After consulting a doctor i am now going to use this “recepie” to see if i can draw out the pus underneath. Plz wish me luck…